String of rubies (Othonna capensis), also known as the ruby necklace plant, is a trailing succulent that keeps showing up in building projects. Landscapers and general contractors use it on green walls, balcony planters, and courtyard installations because it grows fast, tolerates neglect, and carries yellow flowers through spring, summer, and fall. The plant stays […]
The quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) gets its name from flattened leafstalks that tremble at the slightest breeze, so the whole canopy shimmers in moving air. Its 3-inch-wide leaves are finely toothed and turn a brilliant golden-yellow in fall, and the smooth, light-colored bark is interrupted at intervals by darker knots and horizontal scars. The tree
String of dolphins (Senecio peregrinus), also known as flying dolphins and dolphin plant, is a vining succulent whose folded leaves resemble a pod of leaping dolphins. The plant is a hybrid of string of pearls and the candle plant, and it keeps the beadlike stem structure of its parents while adding a playful leaf shape.
The foxtail lily (Eremurus robustus) is often described as a bulb, but it is actually a perennial tuberous root that sends up bottle-brush spires of densely packed flowers from late spring into early summer. Depending on the variety, the plant grows 3 to 8 feet tall, with blooms in warm shades of yellow, orange, pink,
Construction responds to growth in two forms: families that need more space and markets that need more product, and the two forces often arrive together. A household expecting a second child starts measuring the kitchen; a region adding jobs starts attracting developers. Both kinds of growth reward the same approach: plan for the next stage
The cylinder is one of the most repeated shapes in the built world. It appears in nature, from the spear-like, pointy-tipped leaves of the African spear plant, a succulent also known as the cylindrical snake plant, to the trunks of mature trees. In construction the same geometry shows up in concrete test specimens, water and
The finish you choose for a paint project changes how a room looks, how often you can scrub the walls, and how long the coating lasts. Eggshell and semi-gloss are two of the most common interior finishes, and they sit at opposite ends of the practical sheen range. Eggshell is the usual choice for walls
Wallpaper is having a comeback, mostly as accent walls and powder rooms where pattern adds instant character that paint cannot. The project suits beginners: a single accent wall takes 2 to 6 hours of working time and $100 to $300 in materials, spread comfortably across a weekend. Success comes down to preparation and patience rather
Every living room needs a landing spot for drinks, remotes, magazines, and the occasional plate of snacks, and the coffee table is that surface. It also doubles as a footrest, a homework desk, and a display platform, which is why choosing one takes more thought than picking the first rectangle on sale. The right table
Patio landscaping turns a bare slab or deck into a usable outdoor room, and the decisions that matter most come before the first bag of paver sand arrives. Layout, hardscape material, planting strategy, drainage, and lighting each change how the space feels and what it costs to build. A budget makeover with containers, a rug,
